U.S. patent application number 09/801251 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-20 for portable display assembly.
Invention is credited to McIntyre, Jonothon M.W..
Application Number | 20010052310 09/801251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26883417 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010052310 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McIntyre, Jonothon M.W. |
December 20, 2001 |
Portable display assembly
Abstract
A portable display assembly is disclosed including an elongated,
curved S-shaped frame having handles extending therefrom. A pair of
wheels are operably disposed on an axle attached to a lower end of
the frame, and two prongs extend from the lower end of the frame to
cooperatively form a supportive base. A plurality of shelves are
connected to the frame such that they are capable of being
selectively swivelled from one position to another. A lamp extends
from an upper end of the frame, and has a pivoting section to
enable the lamp to be selectively directed over portions of the
assembly. In one form, the frame includes a plurality of
interconnecting modular tube segments connected to one another, the
shelves are removably connected to the frame, and the lamp is
removably attached to the upper end of the frame so that the
assembly can be broken down for storage.
Inventors: |
McIntyre, Jonothon M.W.;
(Palmdale, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KELLY BAUERSFELD LOWRY & KELLEY, LLP
6320 CANOGA AVENUE
SUITE 1650
WOODLAND HILLS
CA
91367
US
|
Family ID: |
26883417 |
Appl. No.: |
09/801251 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60187801 |
Mar 8, 2000 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
108/92 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 5/04 20130101; A47F
5/137 20130101; A47F 11/10 20130101; A47G 7/041 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/92 |
International
Class: |
A47B 057/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A portable display assembly, comprising: an elongated and curved
frame; handles extending from the frame; a pair of wheels operably
disposed on an axle attached to a lower end of the frame; two
prongs extending from the lower end of the frame and cooperatively
forming a base with the lower end of the frame; and a plurality of
shelves connected to the frame along a length thereof.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame is comprised of
tubing having a generally S-shaped configuration.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelves are of varying
sizes.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelves include a mesh
base.
5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelves include hooks
configured to support hanging articles.
6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelves are configured in
an ornamental lotus leaf design.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelves are removably
connected to the frame.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the shelves are connected to
the frame such that they are capable of being selectively
swivelled.
9. The assembly of claim 1, including a lamp extending from the
frame.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the lamp is removably attached
to an upper end of the frame.
11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the lamp includes a pivoting
section to enable the lamp to be selectively directed over portions
of the assembly.
12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises
interconnecting modular segments connected to one another.
13. A portable display assembly, comprising: an elongated and
curved frame comprised of a tubing having a generally S-shaped
configuration; handles extending from the frame; a pair of wheels
operably disposed on an axle attached to a lower end of the frame;
two prongs extending from the lower end of the frame and
cooperatively forming a base with the lower end of the frame; a
plurality of shelves connected to the frame along a length thereof,
the shelves being connected to the frame such that they are capable
of being selectively swivelled; and a lamp extending from an upper
end of the frame, and having a pivoting section to enable the lamp
to be selectively directed over portions of the assembly.
14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the shelves are removably
connected to the frame.
15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the shelves are of varying
sizes.
16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the shelves include a mesh
base.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the shelves include hooks
configured to support hanging articles.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the shelves are configured in
an ornamental lotus leaf design.
19. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the lamp is removably
attached to an upper end of the frame.
20. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the frame comprises
interconnecting modular segments connected to one another.
21. A portable display assembly, comprising: an elongated and
curved frame comprised of a interconnecting modular tubing segments
connected to one another and having a generally S-shaped
configuration; handles extending from the frame; a pair of wheels
operably disposed on an axle attached to a lower end of the frame;
two prongs extending from the lower end of the frame and
cooperatively forming a base with the lower end of the frame; a
plurality of shelves removably connected to the frame along a
length thereof, the shelves being connected to the frame such that
they are capable of being selectively swivelled; and a lamp
removably attached to an upper end of the frame, and having a
pivoting section to enable the lamp to be selectively directed over
portions of the assembly.
22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the shelves are of varying
sizes.
23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the shelves include a mesh
base.
24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the shelves include hooks
configured to support hanging articles.
25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the shelves are configured in
an ornamental lotus leaf design.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 60/187,801, filed Mar. 8, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to display assemblies. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a display assembly
which is designed to support and display plants and which is
portable and modular.
[0003] Plants, such as ferns, ivies, etc., are often placed indoors
or on the patio and serve to purify the air and enhance the
aesthetics of the surrounding area. Plants are typically placed on
existing furniture such as bookshelves, end tables, counters,
desks, etc. Outdoors, the plants may be placed on steps or hung
from eves or other overhangs. The plants are often kept in pots,
some of which may be very ornate. Sometimes, these potted plants
are stored on stands which serve to support a plant at an elevated
level.
[0004] However, the present manner of storing and displaying plants
is lacking in several aspects. Placing plants on existing furniture
takes up valuable furniture space. Water and other plant material
can escape from the pot and create a mess surrounding the plant and
even damage the underlying furniture. Existing plant stands are
often not aesthetically pleasing but typically only serve to
support one plant at a predetermined elevation. There are
circumstances which require that the plants be moved from one
location to another, such as moving the plants from outdoors to
indoors or from room to room. Oftentimes gardeners move outdoor
plants to rearrange the placement of the plants or to plant them in
the ground. Existing plant stands or furniture used to support
plants are sometimes large and awkward and not easily moved from
one location to another. Existing methods of storing and displaying
plants also fail to provide the best environment for the plant with
respect to lighting. When not in use, such plant stands require
significant storage space.
[0005] Caterers often use carts or other portable assemblies to
offer beverages, food, appetizers, etc. While often functional,
these carts and assemblies lack aesthetic appeal. Also, the carts
may lack adequate lighting and are unwieldy to transport and store.
Within one's home, such a catering cart it typically unavailable.
Thus, when hosting a party or the like, food, appetizers and drinks
are typically placed on tables, counters, coffee tables, end
tables, etc.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a display assembly which is
mobile so as to be moved from one location to another with ease.
The assembly should also be capable of being broken down into
individual components when not in use. Such an assembly should also
be aesthetically pleasing to the eye and usable indoors as well as
outdoors. Such an assembly should also be specifically designed to
store and display plants, while providing a beneficial environment
for the plants. Such an assembly should be capable of supporting
multiple plants at once while remaining aesthetically pleasing. The
present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related
advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a portable display assembly
which is usable indoors as well as outdoors, is aesthetically
pleasing to the eye and can be specifically designed to
beneficially store and display plants.
[0008] The display assembly includes an elongated and curved frame
having handles extending therefrom. Preferably, the frame is
comprised of tubing having a generally S-shaped configuration. In a
particularly preferred embodiment, the frame comprises
interconnecting modular tube segments connected to one another so
as to be capable of being broken down for storage when not in
use.
[0009] A pair of wheels are operably disposed on an axle attached
to a lower end of the frame so that the display assembly can be
easily moved from one location to another. Two prongs extend from
the lower end of the frame to cooperatively form a base with the
lower end of the frame such that the display assembly is stable
when resting.
[0010] A plurality of shelves are connected to the assembly along
the length of the frame. In a particularly preferred embodiment,
the shelves are removably connected to the frame. The shelves are
connected to the frame such that they are capable of being
selectively swivelled from one position to another. Typically the
shelves are of varying sizes. The shelves may include a mesh base
so as to make the assembly lighter in weight, while allowing debris
to fall therethrough. Preferably the shelves also include hooks
which are configured to support hanging articles from the shelves.
When the portable display assembly is designed specifically to act
as a portable plant display assembly, the shelves are configured in
an ornamental lotus leaf design so as to blend in with the plants
placed thereon.
[0011] A lamp extends from an upper end of the frame. The lamp
includes a pivoting section to enable the lamp to be selectively
directed over portions of the assembly. In a particularly preferred
embodiment, the lamp is removably attached to the upper end of the
frame.
[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by
way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such
drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable display assembly
embodying the present invention and having mesh shelves;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the assembly of FIG.
1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the assembly of FIG.
1;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the assembly of FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 5 is an opposite side view of the assembly of FIG.
1;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another portable display
assembly of the present invention, illustrating a pivoting lamp
attached thereto;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a top view of the assembly of FIG. 8;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the assembly of FIG. 8;
[0024] FIG. 11 is another top view of the assembly of FIG. 8,
illustrating shelves of the assembly swiveling between
positions;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a shelf of the present
invention having a mesh base and a lotus leaf design;
[0026] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of another shelf used in
accordance with the present invention, and having a transparent
base and a lotus leaf design;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of yet another shelf having a
mesh based used in accordance with the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of another shelf used in
accordance with the present invention and having a transparent
base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the
present invention is concerned with a portable display assembly,
generally referred to by the reference number 10 in the
accompanying drawings. The display assembly 10 can be used for a
variety of purposes, including a catering cart or general display,
but is particularly adapted for use as a portable plant
display.
[0030] The assembly 10 includes an elongated and curved frame 12
which is preferably comprised of a durable hollow tubing, such as
metal tubing so as to be lightweight and strong. The frame 12
generally has an S-shaped configuration, as best seen in the side
elevational views of FIGS. 4 and 5, so as to imitate the vine or
tendril nature of many plants.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the assembly 10 includes two
prongs 14, preferably of tubing matching that of the frame 12,
which extend from a lower portion of the frame 12 to create a
three-point base which supports the assembly 10 when resting.
Although these prongs 14 can act as handles which can be grasped by
the user to move the assembly 10, much like a wheelbarrow, in the
preferred embodiment, handles 16 extend from the frame 12 at a
position which can be easily grasped by a user.
[0032] Two or more wheels 18 are attached to the frame 14 so as to
make the assembly 10 mobile. The wheels 18 are operably attached to
the frame 12 by inserting a bolt 20 through the lower end of the
frame 12, as viewed in FIG. 7, which acts as an axle. The wheels 18
are placed on the bolt 20, and nuts 22 are threaded on the bolt 20
and tightened sufficiently to allow rotation of the wheels 18 about
the bolt 20.
[0033] A plurality of shelves 24 are connected to the frame 12
along the length thereof so as to be spaced from one another.
Preferably, the shelves 24 have a lotus leaf-like shape, as shown
in the various figures and particularly FIGS. 12-15, to give the
assembly 10 an overall look of a plant, and create a visual
extension of the supporting plants. Even when not used for
displaying plants, the assembly 10 so designed has enormous
aesthetic appeal enabling it to be used indoors, as well as
outdoors. The shelves 24 provide not only a surface on which to
support potted plants, or food or the like, but also provide a
working surface for the user.
[0034] An outer periphery of the shelves 24 are defined by an outer
frame wall 26. The wall 26 can be comprised of rigid wire or the
like, but is typically comprised of a metal strip having a lip at a
base thereof which extends into the walled area of the shelf 24.
This lip 28 is used to support a base 30 upon which the items in
question, such as the potted plants, are supported. When the
assembly 10 is used to hold and display plants, it is preferred
that this base 30 comprise a spread or expanded steel mesh sheeting
32, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 6, 7, 12 and 14. The mesh sheeting
32 allows water and debris from the plants to fall therethrough,
which is particularly useful when the assembly 10 is placed
outdoors. Such mesh sheeting 32 is also easily cleaned and
maintained. Preferably, a urethane powder-coat is baked on to the
surface of the shelves 24 to provide a long lasting, durable,
colorful and pleasing finish. It is to be understood, however, that
the base 30 of the shelves 24 can be comprised of other materials
as well. As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15, a clear or translucent
base 34 can be inserted within the frame wall 26 of the shelves 24
in order to provide a supportive base 30 while remaining
aesthetically pleasing.
[0035] The shelves 24 are preferably attached to the frame 12 by
fitting a collar of the shelves 24 over post 38 which extend
vertically from the frame 12. The posts 38 have rings 40 adjacent
the base thereof which act as a stop for the collars 36. The
shelves 24 can be swivelled and rotated about the posts 38 so as to
alter the arrangement of the shelves 24 and supported plants as
illustrated in FIG. 11. Preferably, the shelves 24 are of varying
sizes to enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the assembly
10.
[0036] The shelves 24 can include braces 42 which extend from the
collar 36 to provide additional weight bearing support for the
shelf 24. Hooks 44 extend from the base of the shelves 24, often as
an extension of the braces 42 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8,
and can be used to support hanging articles such as hanging potted
plants, utensils, etc.
[0037] In order to maximize space, a shelf 46, preferably of
rounded or elliptical design, is attached between prongs 14.
Typically, the shelf 46 is permanently attached to the prongs 14 by
welding or the like. This shelf 46 also includes the wall 26 and
base 30, as described above.
[0038] Extending from a top portion of the frame 12 is a lamp
fixture 48. The lamp 48 preferably includes a pivoting joint 50 or
flexion tubing to permit the lamp 48 to be pivoted over any given
area of the assembly 10, or focused directly on a shelf 24, as
illustrated in FIG. 8. The lamp 48 can include a specialized bulb
to promote plant growth, and directed to a particular shelf 24 to
concentrate light on a particular plant. Alternatively, the lamp 48
can include a standard incandescent bulb or infrared heating lamp.
The lamp 48 may include a lamp shade 52 which is shaped as a flower
or otherwise decorated to fit the overall look and decor of the
assembly 10. Typically, the assembly will include an electrical
cord (not shown) having a three-prong plug which is insertable into
a typical light socket.
[0039] The assembly 10 is preferably designed such that it is
modular and can be broken down to facilitate transportation, or be
conveniently stored when not in use. In this regard, the shelves 24
are removable from the post 38 of the frame 12, as described above.
The lamp 48 is attached to the upper end of the frame 12 by a bolt
or pin 54 so as to be removably attached to the frame 12. The lamp
48 may, alternatively, be pivotally attached to the frame 12 to
permit selected and variable orientations of the lamp relative to
the frame to be selected. The frame 12 itself is comprised of two
or more segments 56 which are attachable to one another, typically
by fitting one end of a frame segment onto a smaller end of an
adjoining frame segment 56. The frame segments 56 are securely
attached to one another with a bolt or pin 58, as illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 3. As discussed above, the wheels 18 can be removed
from the assembly 10 by removing the wheels 18 and nuts 22 from
bolt 20.
[0040] The assembly 10 of the present invention provides many
benefits over the prior art. The assembly 10 is very ornate and
aesthetically pleasing to the eye. However, the assembly 10 is also
extremely functional in that it can be moved easily from one
location to another, such as moving plants from indoors to outdoors
for additional sun exposure. The shelves 24 can be swivelled and
placed into a desirable arrangement. The pivoting lamp 48 allows
areas of the assembly 10 to be highlighted, so as to direct light
onto a particular plant or highlight or heat food items when used
as a catering cart.
[0041] Although several embodiments have been described in detail
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the
appended claims.
* * * * *